Aaarrgh! Crappy torx screw stripped!
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Allentown, PA
Bauer4567, the dealership would have done that. This is the first time I've messed with it, trying to take off the primary to send it out for powder coat. The bolts were on there pretty tight, I used a screwdriver type but had to put a wrench on it to get the leverage to loosen the others.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,006
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
This is similar to plumbing in general. Over-torque plumbing connections, and you get leaks, which can be contrary to most thoughts!
Anyway, I hope you get that last bolt out. I know exactly how you feel.
And to let you know it could be worse, here's my recent experience:
2003 Heritage Springer, and I bought the obsolete 100th cover set. Went to change the timer cover, and two of the bolt heads twisted right off. One I was able to drill out, but the other, no luck.
Had to replace the entire cam chest cover. This was after I had just installed the exhaust and brakeside footboard. Even from an online discount dealer, that was still $140 for the cover and gasket, shipped.....
Like I said, good luck.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 410
Likes: 1
From: Portland, ME
This idea was suggested to me: cut off the bolt head (it wasn't explained how...) and remove the derby cover, then use vice grips on the nub of the bolt to turn it out.
Has anyone used one of these things where you drill into the bolt and use an extracter? I bought one but I hesitate to use it. No instructions, for one, so I hope it's pretty self explanatory.
Has anyone used one of these things where you drill into the bolt and use an extracter? I bought one but I hesitate to use it. No instructions, for one, so I hope it's pretty self explanatory.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 195
Likes: 3
From: North Carolina
I was just dealing with this on my wife's bike. Three of the derby screws were not coming off. What worked for me was taking a drill with a bit slightly larger than the thread of the screw and drilling into the head. Once the drill got down near where the thread started, the head pops off. Once they were all off, the derby cover slid off and the remaining parts of the screws came right out by hand. I tried the notch/screwdriver method first but it wasn't working for me. Good luck.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 3
From: North Carolina
You could use something like a dremel but it's probably easier to use an oversized drill bit to drill just enough so you separate the head from the screw. Once that's done and you remove the cover there should be enough of the screw left to get a bite with some vice grips to remove it. Kind of a common way of removing button or pan head bolts when they strip out.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 3
From: North Carolina
I was just dealing with this on my wife's bike. Three of the derby screws were not coming off. What worked for me was taking a drill with a bit slightly larger than the thread of the screw and drilling into the head. Once the drill got down near where the thread started, the head pops off. Once they were all off, the derby cover slid off and the remaining parts of the screws came right out by hand. I tried the notch/screwdriver method first but it wasn't working for me. Good luck.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 4
I was trying to take the derby cover off and I used the #27 torx screw like I read here. 4 of the screws, no problem. The 5th one stripped. I tried to use a screw extracter but that just made the head hole bigger.
Any suggestions? Why do they use these crappy aluminum torx screws?
I was thinking of replacing the screws with stainless steel hex-bit screws. Is there any problem with this? The only issue I could think of is if the primary cover is aluminum instead of steel. That could cause the threads to strip, right? Anyone know what the primary cover is made of?
Thanks!
Any suggestions? Why do they use these crappy aluminum torx screws?
I was thinking of replacing the screws with stainless steel hex-bit screws. Is there any problem with this? The only issue I could think of is if the primary cover is aluminum instead of steel. That could cause the threads to strip, right? Anyone know what the primary cover is made of?
Thanks!
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 195
Likes: 3
From: North Carolina
Hah, Yup. It worked for me. I also swapped out the screws when I was finished with some different heads. Going to get some chromed Allen screws eventually.
Account Suspended
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 2
From: Orange County, CA
Had the same issue on my previous bike.
One screw ended up stripped. Still held, but not tight. Had replaced the screws with SS.
Ended up having a heli-coil installed - simple and low cost and gives you much better strength.
One screw ended up stripped. Still held, but not tight. Had replaced the screws with SS.
Ended up having a heli-coil installed - simple and low cost and gives you much better strength.